Police: Man stole Holocaust memorial, gave it to friend

MILTON, Mass. (AP) — Police say a Massachusetts man stole a memorial to children killed in the Holocaust and gave it to a friend as a gift.

Milton police say the sculpture depicting a child's hands inside two Stars of David was recovered last month. It had been missing from the Milton Cemetery for more than a year.

Sculptor Fred Manasse created the piece to honor his sister, Myriam, and other children killed by the Nazis during World War II. He tells the Patriot Ledger the recovered piece will be put back in place with added security protections.

Police are seeking criminal charges against a 19-year-old suspect. His name has not been released.

Investigators say there's no evidence the theft was motivated by anti-Semitism.